Machine for affixing fabric coverings.



A. BIANCHI IL I. OCCHIP'INTI.

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING FABRIC COVERINGS. APPLICATION FILED IAN. I9, 1918.

Patented Apr. 29,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET' I- gli:

A. BIANCHI d2 J. OCC'HIPINTI.

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING FABRIC COVERINGS. APPLICATION FILED IAII. I9, 1918.

lo Patented Apr. 29,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- R94. 6 -5 TNTTED STATE@ PATENT FFTQE.

ATTILIO BIANCHI AND JOI-IN OCCHIPINTI, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MACHINE FOB. AFFIXING FABRIC COVERINGS.

i,so2,2ss.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patenten am. 2e, isis.

Application filed January 19, 1918. Serial No. 212,818.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that we, ATTILIO BIANCHI and JOHNOocHIPINTI, citizens of the United States, residing at New York, in thecounty of New York and State of New York, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Machines for Aflixing Fabric Coverings, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to coating machines.

In the manufacture of automobiles, carriages, or similar vehicles, it iscustomary to provide textile material, leather or a substitute forleather, using the same as a facing or coating for swinging doors, theinner Walls or panels of the body of the vehicle or other desired parts,whereby to give to the interior of the vehicle, an ornamental andattractive nish. To the best of our knowledge, the manufacturing of suchcovers or facings, has heretofore been done by hand and is therefore aslow, trying and costly operation, aside from the fact that it isimpossible to give to the complete article manufactured, thatconsistency and uniformity which is necessary to a commercial productionthereof.

One of the objects of the invention resides in the provision of meansfor initially bending or folding the edges of the facing or coveringmaterial so that such edges will lie substantially at right angles tothe plane of a stilfening sheet with which the material is associated,and then subsequently subjecting the material to the action of a foldingmechanism which will operate against the edges thereof and completelyfold the same against one side of the stiffening material, causing thelatter and the former to be permanently bound together and producing apanel-like article when completed which may be secured against the innerface of a door, a panel or inside wall of a vehicle as and for thepurpose set forth elsewhere herein.

Another object of the invention is to provide co-acting folding andpressing mechanisms which will operate to permit the stiffening elementto be interposed therebetween during the action of folding the marginaledges of the facing or coating material over the edges of said element,and means for effecting relative adjustments of said mechanisms topermit the work to be conveniently associated therewith and removedtherefrom.

Another obj ect of the invention resides in the provision of foldingmechanism which will permit of the successive introduction of workthereto and removal of such work therefrom with utmost rapidity andaccuracy in a uniform application of one element of the work withanother, mechanisms which will be simple of construction, positive ofaction, and which will permit of a maximum output in a minimum space oftime,

In the drawings Figure 1, is a side view of the apparatus.

Fig. 2, is a rear view thereof.

Fig. 3, is a vertical section therethrough.

Fig. 4;, is a front view of the edge folding mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line 5-5, of Fig. 4:.

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6 6, of Fig. 11.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus with parts insection.

Fig. 8, is a section taken approximately on line 88, of Fig. 7.

.F ig. 9, is a detail view of the stop mechamsm.

Fig. 10, is a side view thereof.

Fig. 11, is a side view of the actuating cam.

Fig. 12, is a section through a part of the edge folding mechanism.

The apparatus comprises two mechanisms 15, and 16, respectively, theformer of which will be hereinafter referred to as, the edge folding andpressing mechanism, and the latter, a work supporting and positioningmechanism. Specifically, the apparatus includes a supporting frame 17,provided with side bars 18-18, a front bar 19, and other minorinstrumentalities of minor importance which need not be discussed inthat they form no material features of the invention. The upper surfacesof the bars 18-18, extend at a downward and forward angle so as tocorrespondingly support a rigid bed or table 19, on which the work to beoperated upon, is adapted to be placed initially. This bed or table, isconnected at its sides with bars 20 and 21, which are mounted to rock at22, on the frame 17. Crank extensions 23, form integral continuations ofsaid arms and as illustrated, the extension 23, of the arm 20, isprovided with a roller 24, which operates in a cam slot 25,.in a gearwheel Q6. The extension 23, of the arm Q1, has a roller 27, whichoperates in a cam groove 28, formed in the inner surface of a gear wheel29. Both of the wheels 26 and 29, are mounted on a common shaft 30,which is journaled in the frame 17. The cam grooves 25 and 28, aredesigned whereby on each 'revolution of the mentioned gear wheels,motion will be imparted to the rockers 20 and 21, so as to respectivelyraise and lower the table or bed 19, in a manner to he hereinafterdescribed. The work to be operated upon, consists of a sti'ening sheet31, and a covering or facing strip. The former is customarily ofcardboard and the latter', textile material or 1initation of leather.The size of the stiffeilnng material 31, is such that it normally isfully bound by the sides of the material 32, in order that the marginaledges of the latter can be turned up and then over the marginal edges ofthe former. Initially, the material 31, is secured by an adhesive to thematerial 32. When the two elements of the work are thus associated withone another, they are placed upon the table or bed 19, so that thematerial 31, is disposed at the top. Mounted to rock upon the table orbed19, are pressing shoes 33, which are provided with arcuate surfaces34, which are adapted to press against the extended edges ofthe material32, and fold the same at right angles to the niateiial 31. Any suitablenumber of these shoes may be employed and in practice, it is founddesirable to distribute the same upon the table or bed 19, so that theyoccupy the relative positions shown in Fig. 7. They are preferably inrows, so that the space between the respective rows will correspond withthe shape of the work to be operated upon. In this manner, the arcuatesurfaces 34, will be ah ays presented against the extended edges of thecovering or facing material 32, and the latter accurately fold withrespect to the next adjacent flat side of the stiffening material 31.The stiening material 31, is substantially of panel coniiguration and asdesigned, it is intended for application against the inner face of anautomobile door or any structure to which an ornamental finish is to begiven. Ve therefore do not wish to be limited to any particularconfiguration or arrangement of parts as we are principally aiming tobring together only those instrumentalities which are practical andoperative for the purpose of binding a comparatively thin sheet offacing or covering material, such as that described with a matingstiffening material, irrespective of the form and shape of the parts towhich these materials are to be afterward adopted.

The swinging shoes 33, are normally held distended under the action ofsuitable springs 35, carried by the table or bed 19. Beneath the shaft30, is a power transmitting shaft 35, having a pulley 36, which may bebelted to any suitable well known form of motor. At one end, the shaft35, is provided with a fixed driving gear wheel 37, arranged in meshwith an idle gear 38, the latter having at one side, a small fixed gear39, which is in mesh with the gear 26, on said shaft 30. In this manner,power is transmitted to the shaft 30, and is utilized for the purpose ofactuating respective mechanisms of the apparatus.

The edge folding mechanism 15, comprises horizontally sliding heads 40,supported by a vertical plate 41, which rises from the frame 17, at therear thereof. These heads are provided with pins 42, which slide inhollow bosses 43, formed on the plate 41. ln these bosses, are springs44, which operate against the heads 40, to hold the same normallydistended. These heads are each provided with a plurality of angularlydisposed guides 45 and 46. Rigid folding strips 47, are supported by theheads 40, and the same have end grooves 48, which are received by therespective guides 45 and 46, as shown, and are therefore free to -slidethereon. Crank shafts 49, are journaled upon the plate 41, and the samehave bevel pinions 50, at their ends. The piiiions of the severalshafts, mesh with each other so that when power is transmitted to oneshaft, it will be continued through all 0f them. Each shaft is providedwith a crank portion 51, having an arm 52 which is connected to the nextadjacent strip 47.

As four strips 47, are illustrated, there must consequently be provided,a corresponding number of shafts 49, and' in order that these strips canbe actuated in pairs, the crank portions 51, of twoof said shafts, areextended in an opposite direction tothe crank portions of the othershafts.` In this manner, two strips 47, will be made to move toward eachother while the other strips will be made to move away from each otherand vice versa. The area normally defined between the respective strips47, is slightly greater than the outside area defined by the stiifeningelement 31, to be operated upon so that when the bed 19', is presentedparallel relation with the plate 41, the angularly turned edges of thefacing or covering inaterial 32, will be projected directly in the pathof said strips 47, so as to be turned against the opposite face of thestiffening element 31, during operations of said strips 47. The lowershaft 49 is provided' at its end with a gear wheel 53, which is in meshwith the gear 29, at times. lThis gear 29, is of the mutilated type inthat the toothed surface thereof extends only a part way around theperiphery of said whee This is done in order that the parts .mayfunctionate as just described. That is to say, there are times whenmotion will be set up inthe gear 29, revolves. The wheel 29, is providedwith a cam groove 54, which receives the roller 55, on the rock arm 56,of a lockingmecha nism 57. rIhis mechanism is operatively supported fromthe plate 41, and it is provided with a dog 5S, which at times, isadapted to engage with the teeth of the gear 53. For this reason, thecam groove 54, is provided with a releasing branch 59, and a settingbranch 60, the latter actuating to draw the rocker 56, in a downwarddirection to advance the dog against the wheel, while the former isdesigned to operate to elevate the arm 56, and release the dog from saidwheel. The groove 23, on the opposite side of the gear wheel 29, and thecorresponding groove 25, on the wheel 26, are each provided with asubstantially concentric branch 61, and an eccentric branch 62, theformer operating to elevate the bed 19, and to maintain an operativeposition of said bed with relation to the folding strips 47, whenthe'bed is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Subsequentto thus positioning the bed, the dog 58, is released from the wheel 53,in order that motion can be transmitted to said gear 53, and in turn,transferred to the shafts 49. The folding strips 47, will then beoperated in the manner described hereinbefore and the covering materialwill be folded' against the opposite side of the stiffening material 31,it being understood that the marginal edges of the facing or coveringmaterial have been previously treated to an adhering solution.

The stidening material 31, is provided with an opening 63, which isadapted to receive the shank of a knob of the door to which thefinished' article is applied. The facing material is slit on radiallines directly at the side of this opening and fingers 64, are producedtherein. In order that these iingers can be projected through theopening 63, and properly applied against the opposite face of thematerial 31, the following instrumentalities are provided A rocker 65,is mounted upon the plate 41. One end of this rocker is provided with aplunger 66, having a semi-cylindrical head 67 and a substantiallycylindrical portion 68, the diameter of the latter being greater thanthe diameter of the opening 63. Sliding in the bed 19, is a spreadingplunger 69, which is adapted to be first projected through the opening63, to arrange the fingers 64, at the opposite side of the stiffeningmaterial 31, and' spread the same so' that when the bed assumes itsvertical position where the strips 47 are in position to fold themarginal edges of the facing or covering material, the substantiallycylindrical head 67, of the plunger 66, will be projected through theopening 63, and against the plunger 69,` while the cylindrical branch 68will be applied against the fingers 64, to

press the latter against said opposite face of the stiffening material31. These ngers are of course provided with an adhesive so that underthe described action, they will be firmly secured to the rear face ofthe material 31, described herein. Motion is set up in this rocker 65 byproviding a link 7 0 and connecting said link with a crank portion71,'on the upper shaft 49. l

From the foregoing description, it will be observed that if the strips31, are first associated with the facing materials, the same can beplaced in rapid succession upon the bed 19, in order that the marginaledges of the facing or covering materials, will be quickly and uniformlyfolded over the edges of the stiffening materials. In this manner, thework can be formed expeditiously. rlhe work can be controlled by asingle operator and through the niceties referred to, the utmostaccuracy in the binding of the elements together, can be relied upon.

The plate 41, is provided with springs 791-72 against which the element31, is adapted to contact during the edge folding operation. In order tofacilitate the folding of the edges of the facing material, the strips47 are of hollow formation and are adapted to be arranged incommunication with a hot water supply source through suitable piping 73. The head 67, is heated in a similar manner by inclosing the same ina' hot water jacket 74.

We do not wish to limit ourselves to the exact details of constructiondescribed herein, and desire to reserve the right to depart therefrom toall permissible extent within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is 1. Apparatus for coveringa stiffening materialwith a facing material, comprising a bed upon which the materials areadapted to be supported superposed with the edges of the facing materialprojecting beyond the edges of the stiening material, yieldable means onthe bed for disposing the edges of the facingmaterial at an angle to thebody of the stifening material and for holding the material on the bed,and a folding mechanism co-acting with the bed to fold said angularlydisposed edges of the facing material over and against the opposite sideof said stiffening material.

2. Apparatus for covering a stiflening material with a facing material,comprising, a bed upon which the materials are adapted to be supportedsuperposed with the edges of the facing material projecting beyond theedges of the stiifening material, means for bending the edges of thefacing material at right angles when said materials are placed on thebed, a folding mechanism, and means for causing the bed to be activelypresented to the folding mechanism, the said folding mechanism includingpairs of end and side members for operating against the edges of thefacing material whereby to fold the same over the edges of thestiifening material and against the opposite side thereof, and means formoving the members of the side pair to- Ward each other and then themembers of the end pair toward each other after the side members havebeen Withdraw-n.

3. Apparatus for covering a stiifening material With a facing material,comprising, a bed upon which both materials are adapted to be supportedsuperposed with the edges of the facing material projecting beyond theedges of the stiifening material, yieldable means for gripping bothmaterials and for confining the .same temporarily against the bed andfor flexing the edges of the facing material, and' folding mechanismco-acting with the bed and adapted to be presented against the flexededges of the facing material to fold the same over and against theopposite side of the stiffening material, said mechanism including apair of slidably arranged side members and a pair of slidably arrangedend members, crank shafts having their cranks connected with said sideand end members and means for rotating said shafts.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising a bed, means thereonfor holding the stiffening material and the facing material With theedges of the facing material bent at right angles around the edges ofthe stiening material, a supporting member, means for moving the bed toa point adjacent said supporting member and folding mechanism carried bysaid supporting member for folding` the edges of the facing materialover the opposite face of the stifl'ening material, said foldingmechanism comprising slidably mounted side and end strips, crank shaftsfor sliding said strips, and means for rotating the shafts.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising a bed, means thereonfor holding the two sheets of material and a supporting plate, foldingmechanism on said plate, a spring plunger on the bed, a plunger on thesupporting plate and means for operating the last mentioned plunger toform the knobreceiving opening in the sheets of materials.

In testimony whereof We aifiX our signatures.

ATTILIO BIANCHI. JOHN OCCHIPINTI.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, ID. C.

